The Portland daily press., 1887-09-19
scribner's Sons; Portland. Loring. Short &

Scribner's Sons; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmony
A little aftermath of summer fiction awaits
review; and these novels, like autumn flow
ers, seem of brighter color and stronger stem
than the earlier bloom. Mr.. Arlo Bates's
charming story, A Lads Love, may be first
noted. In its healthy gayety, its ingenious
and well maintained idea, its graceful style,
and freedom from sophomore cynicism, it is
most agreeable novel, and decided ad-
vance upon MIR. Bates's talented but uncom-
Portable and Improbable Pagans. Against
picturesque and high-toned background of
the Island of Campobello and its select ho-
tells is involved the comedy of the tragedy of
lads love for woman old enough to be
his mother and fascinating enough TO turn
his not too level head. Soon, escorted by a
gentleman of Indian Summer years, the
young daughter of the charming Mrs. Van
Orden appears upon the scene. The relations
between mother and daughter are delightful
ly set forth-Mrs. Van Orden and Phoebe are
worthy contemporaries of Aurora and Cio-
tide or any other of the lovely maidens and
their somewhat younger and less wise man.
mas. who chirp and MARBLE their delicious
Jargon through the novels of Mr.. Cable.
Since it is not likely that the reader of
Lads Love will thank any one but its au-
thor for relating the plot in detail-merely in
general terms shall be praised the lively and
not unnaturally bright dialogue, the clever
ness Of the characterization of duennas, dam
ozels and golden youths, and the pleasant
ending which leaves no effect of dissatisfac-
ton with the social world as depicted in this
pleasant novel, Boston: Roberts Brothers !;
Portland: Loring, Short g. Harmony
Mr.. Sidney Luska, in his novel The Yoke
Of the Thorah, still harps upon the Hebrew
In America. His work is impulsive, some
times forcible and effective, but it is not of
an agreeable quality. The intensity
Of emotion of his novels is, how
ever, in contrast with the languid
surace-work of many of the story-tell-
ers Of the day, and holds the interest Of the
reader. The plot of the present story is
founded upon the laws and prejudices which
would prevent a marriage between Jew
and Christian. The hero, Elias Bachar-
ach, Is weakly impressionable young man,
who mistakes the physical effects of an
epileptic temperament for the penalties of
divine displeasure. He is held in this men
tai bondage by fanatical rabbi, his uncle,
who strays into the modern atmosphere of
the Jewish society Of New York like some
medieval spectre. The impression Of the
whole story is Of voluble and inexpensive
melodrama, in which energy of defamation
supplies the lack of genuine power. New
York: Cassell & Co.. Portland: Loring,
Short & Harmony
Buttons Inn, Judge Tourgee's new story,
Is, in literary merit, rather better than his
earlier works The time is that of the rise
OF the Mormon sect; and tragic mystery is
connected with the inn, enhancing the inter-
est of local color and characterization. The
Mormon element plays less conspicuous
part in the novel than might have been ex-
pected; and the story is vigorous and read
able. Boston: Roberts Brothers; Portland:
Loring, Short & Harmony
Bellona's Husband is an eccentric romance
signed by the pseudonym of Hudor Genone.
The author introduces the tale as a manu-
script left in his hands, and after some dis
paraging comment-not wholly unjust by
the way-decides to publish it. 1t proves to
be the narrative Of parsonage who by
means of chemical and mechanical disc ov-
cries formula and diagrams not given to the
trusting public succeeds in reaching the
planet Mars. Here he finds an English
speaking people, who explain to him their
conditions and customs. The story contains
some ingenious fancies and hits at existing
institutions; but is, upon the whole, COM
monplace and lacking in refinement as well
as in that nimble and powerful Imagination,
which enables Jules Verne to leap by his
accumulated impetus-like the railway train
in Around the World in Eighty Days-across
unbridged chasms and land safely on the
other side Of the impossible. However, the
amusing story Of Bellona's Husband will
not lack readers. philadelphia: j. B. Lip
pincott & Co; Portland: Loring. Short &
Harmony